A school which says no to junk food and colas

Linah Baliga TNN

Mumbai: A common addiction among children is for aerated soft drinks and junk food, mainly potato chips. But the primary and secondary section students of Our Lady of Nazareth High School (OLNHS), Bhayander, are on an unusual diet of nutritious snacks and juices. The majority of the students have pledged to say “no” to colas and junk food. Instead, they are found sipping aloe vera and amla juices, derived from product grown in the very backyard of their school. Their canteen too has come up with an interesting alternative to junk food. Instead of packaged fried chips, it serves ajwain pakoras, parathas, methi and palak dhoklas, multigrain ladoos, brahmi chutney, and fruit jam. The herbal ingredients mainly come from the school garden and are cultivated by the students. The utensils are strictly stainless steel. The students, teachers, staff and parents have together formed an environmental forum called the Nazarene Paryavaran Parivarthan Prayas (NPPP). The healthy eating concept for the school was the brainchild of an NGO, Centre for Human Ecology (CHE). “When I came here, I became a member of the Indian Network for Ethics on Climate Change. I have been so for 15 years now. Since this school had a huge campus, open spaces and terraces, I called the CHE. Together, we planned this environmental project and created an awareness programme on the consequences of junk food and colas,” said Father Allwyn D’Silva, manager, OLNHS. “An awareness drive is on. We can’t force the students. We first went on to plant medicinal herbs. Then we started the canteen to sell nutritive snacks. Parents are charged Rs 200 per month and they find it affordable.” Asked if there was reluctance among the older students about the scheme (since the school accommodates junior college as well), Gracy Mendonza, headmistress of the primary section, said: “At first, only 25 parents agreed to the alternative. But more children started enjoying the food since it comprises fresh, hot snacks. It’s easier to inculcate a new habit in children. “In the primary section, more than 100 students have switched over to the healthy diet. We are thinking of expanding our kitchen by March.” Alice Frederick, principal of the secondary school and junior college, said: “At parentteacher meetings, we request parents not to fill tiffin boxes with junk food. Every small measure helps.”